By Alana Mitchelson
PAKENHAM car saleswoman D’Nee Cook has had rude male customers request specifically to be served by a car salesman.
But times are changing in the heavily male-dominant industry, as Ms Cook reveals that she now leads Ford’s first all-female team at their new site, on Commercial Drive, in Pakenham, in the middle of the expanding dealership hub.
Beginning her career at age 19, D’Nee Cook spent eight years at Berwick Ford before being transferred to the Pakenham dealership two years ago.
Ms Cook, who leads the team as the new car manager, is a strong advocate for women pursuing a sales career in the automotive industry and plans to work her way up to a more senior role as a dealer principal in the future.
“I started in retail management at a surf shop, but always had a passion for cars,” Ms Cook said.
“I was persistent until I was given an opportunity and I’ve never looked back. They say that if you get through the first three months, you’re in this industry for life.
“I bought my first house at 21. Women should know that this is an industry that can really take you places.”
Ms Cook said it was purely incidental that the dealership had grown into an all-female team over the past few months.
“We need more women in this industry,” she said.
“Women bring empathy, passion and an attention to detail that sets us apart from that stereotypical idea that some people have of a car salesman. We’re more approachable.
“We’re not pushy and are naturally good listeners, offering a practical approach. Female customers definitely love being served by a woman.
“Some people might think we don’t know what we’re doing or that we don’t know enough about cars. Sometimes male customers like to challenge us. It does happen. I have had two customers request to be served by a car salesman, with an emphasis on ‘man’.
“The industry’s taught me to be very thick skinned.”
The Pakenham dealership is the first of Ford’s new branded styling that is to become uniform for all of the company’s dealerships across the state.
“Manufacturing has shut down in Australia, but we’ve invested so much money into research and development. It’s an exciting time for Ford,” Cook said.
“Our new Pakenham site, closer to our competition, is going to grow our business.
“This is an industry that’s always going to be here. People will always want to buy cars.
“Customers are more researched and they usually know what they’re looking for, so at the end of the day our job is to give an impression. You need good people skills and customer service skills. You have to know how to sell yourself and that’s something I think girls do really well.”
